Slugs in bird feeders

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Hello, sorry if this is in the wrong place - this board is not my natural habitat! Can anyone please help?

We have bird feeders hanging on the wall between us and next door. It’s a kind of dry-stane-dyke affair. At nights the feeders are teeming with slugs, then slimy in the day. I see slugs on the ground too - our cat is fascinated by them (yuck). I moved the feeders to the trees at the back but the birds ignored them. When I WFH I am at the kitchen table so really enjoy seeing the birds on the feeders.

Any ideas how to get rid of the slugs on the feeders? I don’t want to put any sort of poison (? Again, this is not my area of expertise) out because of the cat. I remember my dad putting down bowls of beer - or am I dreaming that?

Thanks for reading if you did, and apologies if I am in the wrong place.

Beer traps will catch slugs, but I think a mix of water yeast and sugar has the same attractive effect and is cheaper. Or you can go out on a wet evening and catch them. Relocate them or put them in a bucket of water with detergent to kill them.

It's an ongoing war of attrition, the slimey bastards will keep breeding.

They're probably finding harborage in the gaps in the dry stone wall.

As the birds don't use the feeders when it's dark, you could try taking them down overnight and replacing them in the morning.

I hang my bird feeders on metal brackets or wires. Then slugs can't get to them.

The feeders are actually on metal hook things. The slugs definitely live in the wall, also tiny mice - the cat can spend hours just observing the wall.

If we use beer/similar traps do they die? Where would we relocate them to? They make me feel slightly sick, so apologies for sullying this charming board with them.

Yes the slug traps will kill them.

If you decide to relocate them, just scout out somewhere nearby, not too close or they'll be back. Some weedy vacant ground, perhaps where dead leaves accumulate and drop them off.

You could try putting down cardboard or newspaper underneath the feeders, perhaps leaning against the wall. It doesn't matter if it gets wet. The slugs retreat there and you can collect and dispose of them during the day.

I think it's something you'll have to do regular to keep the numbers down. It'll reduce the problem but may not cure it completely.

I've not used the yeast mixture myself, but I think there's minimum alcohol pricing now so I'd try it before spoiling them with the good stuff from the micro brewery.

You can buy a nematode worm that gardeners use to keep slugs off plants. I don't know if it would work to depopulate your wall but it's something to consider.

A bucket and rubber gloves, an enthusiastic and gullible child can also be useful.

Last resort - flamethrower!

Thank you @IcakethereforeIam i think burning the wall down is the best option 😂

The great wall of slima!